Downtown South Bend News

Since September of 2003, The University of Notre Dame Community Relations Department has called 217 S. Michigan Street home. Formerly part of the Robertson's Department Store, the building is not only home to ND Community Relations but also contains residential apartments, a small general store, Crossroads Art Gallery and the DTSB offices. "Our goal is to help facilitate discussion between the University of Notre Dame and the South Bend community which includes local government," explained Jackie Rucker, director of the downtown Community Relations office. "We help the University share it's future plans with the public and we also gather feedback from the community." Jackie and her team, which includes ND students, were instrumental in working with the community during the proposed Juniper Road project. They gathered feedback from residents, introduced and explained the University's plans and kept the public informed and up-to-date as the project progressed. The University is very concerned about the public's feelings and opinions in regard to future campus expansion. Jackie addresses such issues through community meetings and one-on-one discussions with area residents. Community Relations also serves by providing educational opportunities to South Bend's senior citizens. "We interviewed downtown residents and asked what they wanted, said Rucker, and they asked for lunch and learn series, computer access and support, and drama classes." The Lunch & Learn series is a social and informational gathering featuring speakers who address senior citizen concerns. Located at the Robinson Center on Eddy Street, Lunch & Learn is held on the fourth Monday of every month. A Computer Club and Lab has been implemented and features a six week series of fun, hands-on workshops to familiarize seniors with general computing skills. "We are currently researching and working on fulfilling the request for drama classes, said Rucker." Through the wonderful work of Jackie, Vicky Hernandez, assistant director and receptionist Amy Tremel, plus a staff of students, the Community Relations office is a hub of activity and is right where the University wants it to be, in the heart of downtown keeping its fingers on the pulse of our community.

The City of South Bend and Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) have been working together since early 2008 to define streetscape improvements needed along Michigan Street in the heart of our downtown. In February 2008, the City commissioned the Troyer Group, a local design and planning firm to develop a concept plan for Michigan Street. This project will be funded by downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars and will be completed in Phases, with the first Phase focusing on Michigan Street between Colfax Ave and Wayne St. The scope of the project includes:

• Sidewalk: Replace deteriorating concrete and brick in sidewalk
• Landscaping: New planter beds and trees
• Street Lighting: Replace all streetlights with new pedestrian scale lighting
• Visitor Signage: Create opportunities for visitor information kiosks

DTSB LAUNCHES 2008 FAÇADE & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) has established a competitive Façade & Streetscape Improvement Grant Program to provide financial assistance to property/business owners seeking to renovate or restore building facades and adjacent streetscape(s) in downtown South Bend. The purpose of these matching grants is to provide assistance in funding well-designed building façade and streetscape improvements that respect the building's history, original design integrity, and adjacent structures and that make a noticeable visual enhancement in the downtown area.

This is a rebate program under which owners will be reimbursed 50% (maximum grant of $25,000) of the total amount spent on the project. Examples of qualifying expenditures include, but are not limited to:

Building Exterior: exterior painting, masonry refurbishing, awnings, exterior building lighting, storefront entry systems and individual windows and door replacement or modification.

Streetscape: streetscape plantings, street furniture, curb and sidewalk, street lights and related amenities.

1. Review the entire Program Guidelines.
2. Download the Pre-Application and submit it to jkain@downtownsouthbend.com with digital pictures of your property.
3. If your Pre-Application is approved, you will be asked to fill out the complete Grant Application.

For further questions, please contact Jitin Kain at jkain@downtownsouthbend.com or 574.282.1110

Note: Grant funds are limited and are awarded to businesses using a points system established by the DTSB Façade Grant Committee